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Monday, January 23, 2012

This weekend I spent a bunch of time being a mom. I even made the kid's breakfast and it wasn't out of a box in the form of cereal or a waffle {for those that know me personally, you know that this is a really big deal}. And I also worked on new binder printables. And in-between all of that, the hubs and I managed to partner up to finish off a project or two!

I know some of you may be here today excited to see the grand reveal of my new desk, no worries my friends. Hopefully it will be wrapped up before the end of the week. There are just a couple finishing touches left...

I am, however, popping in to share one of the projects that I did do for the desk space! A quick and easy project that anyone can do to customize generic office storage.

I started out with some plain green magazine files I found for $5 each at my happy place, Target.

I am really into stripes lately and thought striped magazine files would add some visual interest to the space. All I needed for this project was a roll of 1" painters tape, a sponge brush and some leftover paint from a previous project.

To begin I taped the bottom perimeter of the magazine file to give a starting point.

I used small pieces of tape as spacers to ensure a perfect pattern. Here it is all taped up:

Times two:

Then, just using my foam brush, I painted in the stripes with Behr's Burnished Metal paint.

I used a small craft paint brush to edge in around the label holders. After two coats of paint came my favorite part... Peeling off the tape!

Super cute. I guess I forgot to mention why these two magazine files are so important in the first place. One is to hold my most favorite Better Homes and Gardens "Storage" magazines and the other is to hold recent catalogs. I keep both right within arms reach when working on projects for ideas and inspiration.

But again, you wouldn't know that by looking at these gems. That's why labeling is key!

I am so smitten with how they turned out. And to think, I have seen similar styles run around $18 each. That's a $26 savings I can live with!

And the concept works great with all sorts of blah office supplies. Painters tape, vinyl or stencils all can give you a custom look that you are after!

I also started playing around with lining the drawers with wrapping paper and updating the hardware....

More to come throughout the week as I give you live play by plays of the desk moving in progress!

What did you paint this weekend? Did anyone take 15 minutes to organize, and if so, what did you accomplish with a smile?

Love the painted magazine files. I've considered doing something similar to my cardboard Ikea files, but I have so many. And I've been busy with other projects that it hasn't become a priority. But I love what you did. If you feel the urge to do a few more, I can send some of mine your way. I know you've got oodles of time on your hands. Hahah.

Brilliant!!!!!! I had been wanting to paint or cover mine with fabric for a while but was so so scared i'd ruin them --- yours came out so awesome!!!! I'm totally going to bite the bullet and attempt it when I decide on colors! <3 eee! Thanks love!

I have lined my kitchen drawers with wallpaper which is pasted, however, in the office I just used a couple of pieces of double stick tape since it's more for that ooh la la happiness when I open it up, than for anything more. :)

Love how they turned out! I'm a newer reader and am having a great time perusing your archives. I took your 15 minute challenge to heart and made a few small improvements - including your idea to use a Command hook on cabinet door. Free and genius! Now I don't have to dig through my pantry to find bibs! :)

Cool, thanks! Just had a brainstorm to have TWO family info binders, instead of cramming everything into one, one for family/house, one for me (calendar, chores, to do list), and will use your that font on them!

I totally LOVE the 'storage' magazine from BHAG! I just discovered it last year. It is tragic really that it comes out so rarely. It should be a monthly issue. This weekend we moved furniture around and packed things up in preparation for the new carpet that is going in our entire basement. 1000 sq feet to lay means lots of moving items! Can't wait till it's in then I can start putting together my new Craft Room!!!!!

I would have never thought to paint them! Great idea. I've been looking for some for my library and can't find the color I want...paint it is!! I too have one for my BHG storage mags right at arms reach behind my desk. My favorites!!

I finally made a project I pinned:) I created a hair bow holder for my daughter's room. So impressed with myself since my artistic talent is usually in short supply. Thanks for the great idea of painting the holders! I have tons of these sitting around for various things!

Wow, this is just in time. I needed to buy some mag holders because the one I have is a horrid color...lol. Looks great!

I actually did the 15 minute organize this morning before I brought the kids down for breakfast. I have 3 small kids (5,3 and 1), so I only have 15 minutes at a time, if even that. When I put the girls pjs away in their drawer, I emptied the whole drawer out. This drawer also houses their socks, tights and swimsuits. Everything was stuffed out of it. I added 2 shoe boxes a, one to hold sock, the other for tights. I cleared out a bunch of socks too. I folded the pjs and swimsuits and now it all looks great and things are easier to find. :) Thanks for the tip.

Those magazine holders are so incredibly adorable! I love magazine holders because they fit my 8 1/2 by 11 paper that I use to scrapbook perfectly. And I absolutely love stripes so I think I just found my next creative project! Can you possibly tell me what font you used on the labels? It is really cute. Thank you for sharing!

I'm loving all your idea's you have inspired me to start creating stuff for around my house,and since it's a rental it gives the house a better look being orgainized finally. I am also loving the font you are using for the magazine folders where are you getting/ using the font from? cause I would love the bright colours and letters for stuff around the house, I also see that you use it in the blogs :)

HI Kaydee! It's Sofia font, found on http://www.fontsquirrel.com/. One of my new favs! :) I change each color in Microsoft Excel when I create the labels and print them onto cardstock, cut them down to size and pop them in.

May I ask....what material are the magazine holders made from? I have a bunch of the IKEA what cheapy magazine holder that are made from a cardbord-type material. I wonder if paint would adhere??? LOVE the stripes! Do you make (& sell) the labels in that Sophia font with the multiple colors? I don't know how to make the letters in one word multiple colors!

Wow,those turned out fantastic!! I'm impressed you even find time to craft the way you do - inspiring! I made 'real' breakfast for my kiddos this weekend too and felt like a super woman ;)

As for taking 15 minutes to organize, YES - you have totally inspired me! I featured a recent office area organiziation project on my blog - would love if you stopped by - it's a humble teeny blog with a few followers.

No bleeding, but the files are very smooth/flat finish so the frog tape worked really well and I peeled the tape right away while the paint was still wet. Canvas may be a little more challenging... not sure though.

I used to use an HP Photosmart printer that I loved, it's an all in one inkjet printer. It was a great option for anyone looking to print pictures, documents and labels and I definitely recommend it. We found ours at Target and ink is fairly reasonable through amazon.com.

I recently upgraded it however, to an HP LaserJet printer for the Etsy shop documents, it's a much crisper look than the inkjet, but also a bit pricier and ink replacement is insanely expensive. Great great printer which I love, just depends on if you are looking for more professional finish.

I recently found your blog and have been very inspired to get organised. For being the girl to whom my flatmate used to say "I´ll close the door to your room" when we had friends over....this is a huge accomplishment!!!

Yesterday I spent som time cleaning out my closet. I FINALLY put all of my "pregnancy-clothes" (my daughter is already 7 months) in to a big box and in to our storageroom. I also cleaned out all the summerclothing, even though I will have to take them out in again in 3 months, so that I now only have the clothes I´m actually wearing for the season!! Left the closet feeling very spacious!! I FEEL SOOOO GOOD!!

When I first saw the post of your office space the first thing I noticed were these pretty magazine filers. I fell in love and got jealous, so I figured they were probably bought with that design. So I got creative and bought me some cheapo ones, and decided to paint them. It wasn't until right now, that I saw this post that I realized that you painted them. Great job!! They don't look hand painted at all, that's why I figured you had bought them like that. I too collect bhg magazines, that's why I felt the need to get filers, I divide my magazines per year, so each filer contains magazines from that particular year. Check it out. http://deliciousspaces.blogspot.com/p/diy-cheap-magazine-filer-makeover.html

Love as usual! I've noticed that you use the green painters tape and I was so happy when I ran into it at target, but still haven't purchased. Have you noticed that this tape works better than the usual blue painters tape? I did a small rooms in stripes recently... even painted the base coat along the edge of the tape and let dry before adding my stripe color.. and still found myself touching up edges with my sams card and a teeny paint brush. Hoping your green tape is the answer to my prayers ; )

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